Hola! Welcome to Iznajar, one of the most picturesque white villages in Andalucia. It’s a hidden gem yet unknown to most travelers – and it’s a shame as it’s a truly delightful place worth exploring! Iznajar is perched on a small hill overlooking a blue reservoir, offering a mix of history, spectacular views, tranquility, and traditional Andalucian charm. So if you’re looking for a peaceful place away from the crowds with scenic views, Iznajar is the place to go! Vamos, let us show you amazing things to do in Iznajar, Spain.
Interesting fact. The name Iznajar has Arabic origins. It comes from Hisn-Ashar, where Hisn means fortress or castle, and Ashar means liveliness. Read it carefully and you’ll notice that ‘hisn-ashar’ indeed sounds quite similar to Iznajar.
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Iznajar, Spain FAQ
Iznajar is a small Andalucian white village located in the Province of Cordoba in Spain. It boasts somewhat of a central location among the four big cities: Malaga, Seville, Granada, and Cordoba, which makes it a great day trip destination from many towns in the area.
Absolutely! Iznajar is a hidden gem in Andalusia, offering stunning views, a charming whitewashed old town, a rich history, and a peaceful atmosphere. Here, you’ll get a taste of an authentic Andalucian village, away from the crowds and mostly among locals. Even though you won’t find dozens of things to do in Iznajar, you shouldn’t skip it while in the area.
Iznajar is best known for its old town full of narrow whitewashed streets and lovely squares filled with hundreds of colorful flower pots. The Patio de las Comedias, is even named one of the most beautiful places in Andalucia and was awarded several times!
Things to do in Iznajar, Spain
Iznajar Old Town streets
One of the best things to do in Iznajar is to explore its charming old town. It’s small and the main attractions are located close to each other, within walking distance. So there’s no better way than just getting lost in a maze of its streets and slowly exploring every corner!
Quaint whitewashed houses, nice squares, colorful flowers, some historical landmarks, religious buildings, restaurants, cafes, small shops… Wherever you turn, you’ll find something interesting among the streets of Iznajar.
Among Iznajar Old Town, you’ll find points of interest like: Patio de las Comedias, Iznajar Castle, Parroquia de Santiago Apostol church with Plaza Rafael Alberti square, Plaza Nueva square with Fuente de los Leones fountain, Plaza de la Torre square, Cofradía Nuestra Señora de la Piedad church, Casa de las Columnas house, and some viewpoints. Let’s go and take a closer look at them.
Iznajar Tourist Office is located on Calle Villa street, very close to Patio de las Comedias.
Discover: Accommodation options in Iznajar
Patio de las Comedias
Visiting Patio de las Comedias is the number one thing to do in Iznajar, the highlight of any trip to the village. It’s a beautiful small square decorated with blue-painted pots with colorful flowers that hang on the whitewashed houses. There you’ll also find a beautiful small fountain, many figurines, and Rincón del Beso – the kissing corner.
Patio de las Comedias is a truly stunning spot in Iznajar and we’re not surprised at all that it has won numerous awards for the most beautiful courtyard in the Province of Cordoba! It’s the real essence of Andalucia! It’s undeniable that Locals do a wonderful job with it.
You can admire all of Patio de las Comedias has to offer completely for free! But please be respectful and stay quiet – people still live in the houses on this patio.
Interesting fact. The name of Patio de las Comedias translates to ‘Courtyard of Comedies’ and it goes back to the 16th century when many performances took place there.
Also visit nearby: 20+ Most Beautiful Spanish White Villages In Andalucia
Torre de San Rafael
From Patio de las Comedias you can admire Torre de San Rafael, a medieval watchtower built during Moorish times that once was part of the defensive walls. Nowadays, inside there is a cave house used as the headquarters of one of the oldest brotherhoods in Iznajar, the Brotherhood of the Apostles.
You can admire Torre de San Rafael only from the outside. Be sure to take a look at the statue of Saint Raphael that sits on the top, and to take a closer look just go down the stairs. From there you can also admire nice views over Iznajar Lake and its surroundings.
Iznajar Castle
Iznajar Castle (es. Castillo de Iznájar) is a medieval Moorish castle located at the top of the village. It was built in the 8th century and was once known as Castillo Hisn-Ashar. Nowadays, visiting it is a must-have thing to do in Iznajar.
Inside you’ll learn a bit of its past but what’s most important – you’ll admire magnificent views over the Iznajar lake, village, and its surroundings from the highest point possible.
Entrance to Iznajar Castle costs only €2 for a normal ticket, €1 for a reduced one, and is free for children under 5 years old (March 2025). To learn more about current prices and opening hours, visit castillodeiznajar.com website.
Right next to the castle, there’s also a cute little building hosting the village library (es. Biblioteca Pública Municipal). It dates back to the 18th century and was once used to store grains and other food supplies. If the library is open during your visit, make sure to visit it too.
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Parroquia de Santiago Apostol
Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol is Iznajar’s parish church located in the highest part of the village, just a few steps from the castle. It was built between the 16th and 17th centuries and its interior features a beautiful simple design with a Baroque altar and some still visible frescos from the 17th century. If the church will be open, don’t hesitate to take a peek inside.
Also, take some time to walk around it – look up at the bell tower, admire the arches, relax on the nearby squares, and find a nice viewpoint behind. It’s a really lovely area and exploring it is one of the top things to do in Iznajar.
Plaza Rafael Alberti square
Plaza Rafael Alberti is a small and peaceful square at the back of the Parroquia de Santiago Apostol church. It’s filled with trees and plants and in the middle features a lantern with a poem about Iznajar written by a famous Spanish poet, Rafael Alberti himself.
Discover: Accommodation options in Iznajar
Plaza Nueva square
Not far from the castle and Patio de las Comedias, you’ll find another nice square in Iznajar – Plaza Nueva. There you’ll find Fuente de los Leones – a beautiful star-shaped fountain with sculptures of four lions, and many benches perfect to sit and relax for a minute in the shade of the trees. The square also features two levels of viewpoint terraces with lovely views over Iznajar village and nearby hills filled with olive trees.
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Casa de las Columnas
Casa de las Columnas, which name is translated to House of Columns, is a unique house to see in Iznajar. Thanks to its interesting, well-preserved 18th-century facade, it definitely stands out among other local townhouses. In the past, it was the former administration of the Counts of Albi. It’s worth taking a quick look while wandering along the Iznajar village streets.
Paseo de la Constitución square
Paseo de la Constitución square is a beautiful hidden gem in Iznajar. It’s a nice and peaceful place perfect for a short break. There you’ll find a spectacular viewpoint with views over Lake Iznajar and village surroundings, and a 17th century church – Cofradía Nuestra Señora de la Piedad.
Also visit nearby: Caminito Del Rey Hike In Malaga, Spain
Viewpoints in Iznajar
In Iznajar you’ll find several amazing viewpoints with magnificent views from different angles over the lake, village, and surrounding hills. You don’t need to visit all of them but be sure to choose at least some – it’s one of the best things to do in Iznajar!
We’ve already mentioned some of them throughout the post but now let’s put them all together:
- Viewpoint Mirador Embalse
- Viewpoint Mirador del Postigo
- Viewpoint in Iznajar Castle
- Viewpoint in Paseo de la Constitución square
- Viewpoint in Plaza Nueva square
- Viewpoint behind Iznajar church
- Viewpoint Mirador Cruz de San Pedro
- Viewpoint Mirador de las Tres Cruces
Also, if you want to take a good look at Iznajar and its lake from afar, and you travel by car, be sure to make a stop at Mirador de Puente Agroman (it’s unmarked, with gravel surface) on A-333 road leading to Iznajar from Malaga. A bit further there’s also one more viewpoint, officially signposted, but with less interesting views.
We will mark all the mentioned viewpoints on the map at the end of the post.
Iznajar Lake & Playa de Valdearenas
Iznajar Lake, also known as the Lake of Andalusia or Iznajar Reservoir, is the largest reservoir in Andalusia and the second largest in Spain. It’s an artificial lake created in the late 1960s to provide water for irrigation and a hydroelectric power plant.
Just a short drive/walk from the village you’ll find Playa de Valdearenas, a nice sandy beach on the shores of the Iznajar Lake. It’s a perfect spot to relax by the water in a scenic setting. During warm days it’s a great spot for sunbathing, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, or fishing. There’s a gravel parking lot above it with plenty of space to fill in.
From what we’ve heard, the area can get quite crowded during the summer months! No wonder! After spending about an hour there, we also think it’s one of the best things to do in Iznajar!
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How to get to Iznajar, Spain?
Iznajar is located about 85km from Malaga, 110km from Cordoba, 90km from Granada, and 55km from Antequera. The most convenient way to get to Iznajar is by car.
Where to park in Iznajar?
There are a few parking options in Iznajar. We can recommend this free parking lot, located close to the old town. We also saw some cars parking near Mirador del Postigo and along the road leading to it, but it was small and mostly occupied by locals’ cars.
Airports near Iznajar
The closest airports to Iznajarl are located in Granada (80km away), Malaga (85km away), and Cordoba (110km away). From them, you can reach the village by bus, but we advise you to rent a car for a faster and more pleasant journey. You can check the connections that might interest you on the rome2rio.com website.
For great car rental deals visit: Rentalcars
To Iznajar by public transport
From some places, you can get to Iznajar by bus, but usually it’s quite a long journey, sometimes with few stops. It looks like it’s best to arrive by train to Antequera or Loja first, and then travel by bus or taxi to Iznajar. Renting a car is without a doubt the fastest and most convenient option of getting to Iznajar.
To check the connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website. To see the map of available train connections in Spain, visit acprail.com website.
Camping Iznajar
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Valdearenas or Camping La Isla might interest you. All are located close to the village.
Things to do in Iznajar, Spain – Summing up
Iznajar is a truly beautiful Andalusian white village, isn’t it? And it’s quite a shame that it’s yet unknown to many travelers! But we’re sure it’ll change in the future. And for now, you can explore this hidden gem in peace, and have it almost for yourself! Overall, there might not be many things to do in Iznajar but it’s still a place worth visiting even for a few hours. Enjoy!
Our opinion about Iznajar
Our opinion about Iznajar
For us, a visit to Iznajar was a half-day trip from Benalmadena Costa where we lived for a few weeks. We visited the village in late December, and during that time the village was very quiet, we came across only a handful of other tourists. Exploring everything we wanted in Iznajar took about 4 hours.
What can we say… We really enjoyed this Andalusian white village and we think it’s very charming, beautiful, and welcoming. We especially liked strolling around the old town area full of colorful pots (Patio de las Comedias was amazing and not overrated) and admiring the views over the surroundings (views from the castle were our favorite). And spending some relaxing time in the sun on the beach was so quiet and relaxing!
Learn more: Most Beautiful White Villages Near Malaga, Spain
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Iznajar?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Iznajar:
Where to sleep in Iznajar?
Villa Moana
Villa Moana is a luxurious retreat in Iznájar offering stunning views of the reservoir and the surrounding Andalusian countryside. This spacious villa features elegant décor, a private pool, and modern amenities for a relaxing and comfortable stay. Perfect for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility, it provides easy access to hiking, water activities, and the charming whitewashed village of Iznájar.
Iznájar Suites
Iznájar Suites offers stylish and modern accommodations in the heart of Iznájar. With breathtaking views of the Reservoir, these well-appointed suites provide a perfect blend of comfort and elegance. Ideal for a relaxing getaway, guests can explore the charming streets, enjoy outdoor activities, or simply unwind in a serene setting.
Casa La Rosa
Casa La Rosa is a charming countryside retreat in Iznájar, offering stunning views of the surrounding Andalusian landscape. This beautifully restored house combines rustic charm with modern comforts, providing a peaceful escape for travelers. With its inviting outdoor spaces and proximity to the Reservoir, it's an ideal spot for relaxation and nature lovers.
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